Barnes estimated that the average locker room is split 50-50 with guys who do and don't like one another. The Clippers, though, have operated fairly drama-free because of their relationships with one another.

"We trust each other, and I think that's the biggest thing in any relationship," guard Willie Green said. "We trust each other and we communicate. We don't have a problem doing that."

The Clippers also don't have a problem getting together off the court. The team regularly goes to dinner together, attends parties or ever gets together for trips to the beach. Barnes said that when someone hosts an event of any kind, at least ninety percent of the team shows up.

And it's not because they have to.

"We actually want to hang out with each other," DeAndre Jordan said. "It's not mandatory."

There's no question that the Clippers' winning has helped, but other factors, like the team's preseason trip to China and a few brief losing streaks have made the relationships stronger, Green said.

"I think the key is that we learn each other's personalities and what makes everyone tick," Green said. "It's easy to go out on the floor and know what my teammate is already thinking and vice versa."

While the team is full with talent, egos, and experience, the Clippers have been able to unite for a common cause.

"Our mission and our goal is trying to win a championship," Green said.

DEANDRE 'BOLT'

After the Clippers ran the Bobcats out of Staples Center, Jordan said he liked watching Blake Griffin throw down seven dunks.

"I like when Blake dunks," he said. "I get hyped because I actually know how I am when I'm dunking the ball. I don't really feel that high, but when I watch him, I think maybe I look like that."

Jordan knows the key to getting those chances comes from defense and hustle, and Tuesday, he felt like he showed off some of both.

While the dunks only count for two points, Jordan said they impact the team's energy.

"They come off stops. What we want to do is run. We don't feel like a lot of people can run with our bigs or our second unit," he said. "Once we get plays like that, it gets the crowd into it, it gets the guys on the court into it and gets the bench into it.

"We want to keep getting stops and making plays like that."

NOTES

Eric Bledsoe (sore left calf) was a partial participant in Wednesday's practice and will be re-evaluated after shootaround Thursday in Indianapolis. ...The Pacers will be without center Roy Hibbert Thursday after Hibbert was suspended one game for his part in a fight with Golden State Tuesday. ...After Tuesday's victory over the Bobcats, Jordan said he was surprised to see veteran Chauncey Billups unleash some fancy passes. "I don't really get passes like that from Chauncey. Usually it's just a bounce pass," Jordan said. "I think he must have watched a whole bunch of And1 Mixtapes last night. He was throwing behind-the-back passes, no-looks and all that junk."